Excavating grader



Dec. 22, 1931. BERRY 1,837,753

EXCAVATING GRADER Filed Nov. 2, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 22, 1931.

J. F. BERRY 1,837,753

EXCAVATING GRADER Filed Nov. 2, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 attoz new PatentedDec. 22, 1931 m mm Jenn FRANKLIN BERRY, or LEWIS, Iowa:

. nxcnvnrnveennnnn I Application filed November 2,7192'9. Seria1 No.4i4,420l

This invention relates to grading machines, more particularlyelevatinggraders wherein earth is deposited upon a-conveying element asit is loosened so that itwill be carried to and dumped in a spot remotefrom the machine structure. I

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improvedmeans for operating the dirt conveyor sothat a positive steady drive ofthe same will be maintained at all times during the movement of themachine over the ground. In graders of the type at present employedwhere ground engaging elements areused for imparting driving motion tothe elevators, wheels mounted upon the frame of the machine are employedsome of which wheels are equipped with ground engaging cleats with viewto preventing slipping of the wheel. However, sucha driving means is;

found inefficient where the wheel passes'over soft muddy or sandygroundas traction is not obtainedand consequently the dirt con veyor orelevator fails to operate as necessary to the 'properworking of themachine.

The object therefore of the presentinvention is to provide means wherebya steady supply of power will be delivered to the dirt conveyor inaccordance with thejspeed ofthe machine and this object' is accomplishedthrough the provision ofi-an'e'ndless ground engaging element of thetype commonly known as a caterpillar wheel or tread.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means forcontrolling orsteermg an excavating graderwhile the same I being drawnbya tractor or other machine.

A still further object of the invention is-to provide an excavatinggrading machine of simple but strong and durable construction anddesigned to give eificient service under any condition. I V i Theinvention willbe best understood from a consideration oftheiollowingdetailed de scription-talren in connection with the accompanyingdrawings forming part'of this speciiication, with the understanding,-however,'

that the invention is not confinedto any strict conformity withthe'showiiig of the'drawings butmaybe changed or modified solongas' theinvention clalms;

cava ting line 66 of Figure 1.

such changes or modifications I mark, no material departure from thesalient features of as expressed the appended f In thedrawingsa-Q- I iReferring moreparticularly to the draw- I ings wherein like numerals ofreference indica-te corresponding parts'thi'oughout the several views,the numeralI indicates gen erally the frame of the grader structureembodying the present. inventionythis frame comprising asshown' a pairof side beams 27:; arranged. in "spaced parallel relation and'brought'together at their front ends toform the substantiallysemi-elliptical forward'end portion 3',"the re'arends of the'bea'msbeing connectedby'a cross member 4. Kta point :forwardly of the rearmember "at a second cross beam 5 is mounted between the 'side' beams 2and from this second cross beam to the rear'oi the machine a platform 6is constructedup'onwhich an operator of-th'e' machine may stand forthelcontrol-"of the,

various manipulating wheel's 'necessaryfor I guiding the machine andforplacingfthe plow and theelevator ofthe' structure. 9 At each side'ofthe frame adjacent the forward edge of the platform 5' there are mountedthe" upright beams 7 and 8 and for- I wardly of each of these beamsare'placed similar upright beams; Taan'dQSa, The I I I beam-s 8 and Sawhichare upon the samesid'e of the machine are extendedldownwardly as shown asubstantial distance below: the I machine frame vand each carries adacent its I lower end a bearing 9.

Suitable cross bracing beamsigl O iareipro100"i 5:; F'gu-rel is a viewin top plan ofth e eit- V grader embodying the present in- 'vention. V iV *Figure dis a transverse sectional view provided intermediate its endswith a stub shaft 13 'which'is n1ounted in a bearing 9 so that theconveyor is oscillatably suspended: beneath the frame as shown, oneendthereof,

which end is normally in close proximity-to i the ground, being disposedbeneath thatside of the frame-upon which the upright beams -7 and 7a aremounted;

' Atthe lowerend of the conveyor thereis .rotatably mounted between theside members or-panels 12 a rotatable drum 13a while at the other endthe panels support therebetween a similar. drum 14 carried upon ashaft15which extends at the end adjacent .the rear of the framebeyondthe adjacent panel 12and carries thereon a bevel gear 16.

Passing overxand connecting the drum13a and 14 is theendless belt 17 ofthe conveyor Huponwhich dirt excavated by the plow carried by the.machine is thrown and carried Y 1:012 point remotely positioned from oneside of the .excavator.-

.- =At the plow side'iof the machine frame,

thatis the'side adjacent which the lowest end of the conveyor islocated, the rear portion of the side beam 2 has secured thereto a stubaxle 18 upon which is mounted a supporting wheel 19' the peripheralface. of whichis providedwith ground engaging cleats 20 in V the mannershown.

V At theoppositeside of the frame which i the manner shown, thistraction wheel carry- I may be referredto as the discharge -side,thebeam 2 has secured .thereto a relatively heavy bearing bracket 21 whichbracket supports a traction wheel carrying beam 22 which extendslongitudinally-of the frame beam in ing-loeam having a bearing 23 ateach end-in which the axle .24 of a toothed endless tread 1 supportingwheel 25 is mounted. The beam 22 it will thus be seen carries aapair ofthe toothed wheels 25 arranged in tandem and disposedbetween andin-tandem with thesewheels isfa pair of idling rollers 26 'rotatablysupported from the lower edge of the beam 22 so that their peripheriesare in the same plane attheir lowest points as the wheels 25.

Connecting the toothed wheels. 25 is an endless tread 27 which is of thetype'made up of a series ofjunits consisting of side links 28 "connectedby cross members 29,the ends of the side links of one unit'beingpivotally connected with adj a'cent-ends of the links. of

forwardly and rearwardly disposed units.

' This tread as shown passes beneath the idler rollers 26 whichtserve tomaintain thetread 1n firm contact with the ground.

1 =Extending through the bearing 211'and' transversely through theyadjacent beam 2 of the grader frame is a shaft 30 the outer end ofwhichis disposed beneath the upper 1 portion of the tread 27 'andcarries atoothed wheel 31, the teeth of which are engaged by the cross elements29 of the tread so that when the tread moves aboutfthe wheels 25 Vrotary motion will be imported to the wheel 31 and the shaft to which itis attached.

The'inner end of the shaft 30 which is within the framel is supported insuitable bearing 32 and carries thereon a sprocket wheel 33' which haspassing thereover a sprocket chain 34. A shaft 35 extends from a pointwithin the frame 1 adjacent the rear edge'of the conveyor ll to theupper end thereof, carryingupon its upper end a gear 36 which is in meshwith the gear 16 ofthe conveyor" belt pulley supporting shaft 15.

Suitable bearings 3 7 are arranged at proper points on the ad acentconveyor panel and on the supporting frame 1 for maintaining the shaft35 in position and outwardly of the framelthe shaft is made up of aseries of separate units which comprise an intermediate portion 38,connected at its ends with thefixed portions of the shaft by means ofthefsleeves 39 whichare joined to the fixed portlons of theshaft byuniversal connections 4O. With this construction the conveyor may beoscillated without interferring with the transmission of power tothe'belt driving drum 14. At its lower or inner end the shaft 35 carriesa sprocket wheel 41 over which'the chain 34 passes so that power may be,transmitted from the shaft 30wh'en the machine is in motion. i

Upon the plow side. of, the machinev frame 7 one or more plow beams'maybe secured as lndlcated at-42 each carrying its lower end a disk orvother suitable type of plow .43.

This plow 43is arranged relatively closely z to the lower end of theconveyor 11-so that earth thrown inwardly thereby will be dethe upper ordischarge endthereof;

Extending longitudinally of the frame and mounted between the beams 8'and 8a is 'a shaft 44, that end adjacent" the-platform 6 carrying a handwheel 45.

. This shaft-has secured thereto one end of chain 46 which isdiv'ided toform two ipor-f tions 47 at its outer endleach of which portions isattachedto the outer end of the con-.

veyor invthe -manner show n. The beams 7 and 70 also. have supportedtherebetweena shaft 48 which carries upon theend adjacent the platform 6a hand wheel 49am this shaft has attached: thereto one end oflan Ielevator controlling chain50 the-other end being'attachedat suitablepoints tothe underlying 'end'of the elevator or conveyor; By means ofthe, controls 45 .and 49 the inclination of theiconveyor maybe regulateithecontrol 45 being employed 'f for; pullingup the outer end positedupon the conveyor for transmission to of the conveyor to lower the innerend to the ground while the control 49 mayv be employed for lifting theinner end thereof. v

Forwardly of the conveyor 11 the fram '1 has secured to each' side beam2 thereof a supporting leg 51 the connection of the upper end of eachleg with its frame beam being pivotal as indicated at 52, the lower endof each leg being relatively broad as at 53 to 3 provide a substantialsupporting surface. The hinged bracket 54 connects each of the legs withits supporting beam so that'when the leg is lowered it will beheldrigidly in position thereby. I g V At the forward end of the :frame1 there is mounted a bearing block 55 and extending across between thesldes of the portion 3 1s] an arcuate plate 56 which is concentric wltha,

steering shaft 66 which extends rearwardly over the rear oneof the beams10 upon which it is mounted in a bearing 67. This steering shaft carriesupon its rear end a hand wheel 68 by means of which an'operator standingupon the platform 6 of the machine may control the steering of the same.

For the connection of the grader machine with a suitable pulling devicesuch for example as a'tractorthere is provided a tongue 69 whichisturned downwardly at its forward end as indicated at 70, the terminal ofthe down turned portion being provided with a suitable pin 71 forconnecting the tongue with the hitch of a tractor. Intermediate its endsthe tongue 69 is provided with a wear plate 72 and a central pin 73 thepinbeing adapted for extension through the aperture 57 in the bearingblock 55 sothat the rear end of the tongue will be located over thearcuate plate 56. This rear end of the tongue 69 carries a gear segment74: which is of the same curvature as the plate 56 upon which it rideswhen the tongue is oscillated about its pivot 73. This ear segment hasteeth upon the convex edge'which mesh with the gear 60 supported by theplate. From this'description it will be readily seen that when an op-"erato r rotates the steering shaft 66'the tongue veyor when desiredduring the movement ofthejgrader machine the shaft 3O maybe pro- 69 willbe caused to swing relative to the longitudinal center of the frame sothat the forward end thereof will be forced to move in the desired path.s

In order to stop the operation of the con- Iclaim is:- V V 1. In anexcavating grader employing a coupling ;vided=with a clutch 7 5preferably oflthe: jaw

type, this-clutch being adapted to beactuated by the provision' of acontrol lever 76 mounted upon the platform6tat point within reach of theoperator.

- F mm the foregoing description it will' be :rea-dilyseen-that' byproviding an excavating graderwith a caterpillar drive for the elevatoror dirt'conveyorth'ereof positive actuation of 'theconveyor at all timeswill be as sured --irrespective of' the" nature of the,

ground in which the machine is working. I

-When the grader is uncoupled from the ma-v .chine 'employe'd'for towingit the supporting;

feet 51 may be lowered so that the forward end thereof willbe'maintainedelevated with relation to the ground, it"of' course beingunderstood that when the machine isin operation these'feetareswung upout-of the way.

Having thus described my invention, what dirt conveyorand designed tobemoved about by a draft vehicle, and a ground engaging and'grounddriven caterpillar tread structure coupled with the conveyor-for drivingthe same.-

2. In an excavating grader, a framestructure, a'conveyor carried theframe, means arranged to throwearth upon-the conveyor, a caterpillartread 65' 1. mechanism and driven through contact with the earth, andcarried 1 i by and assisting in the support of the frame, and meansconnecting saidmechanism with the conveyor for driving the same; V

3. In an; excavating grader,a-frame structure, aground engagingsupporting wheel for the frame, a ground engaging cater-pillar tread"supporting the frame and driven through engagement with the ground, acon vcyor carried by the frame for conducting Y earth to'pnesidethereof, and drive'me'ans connecting'the caterpillar treadwiththeconveyor for the operation of the latter thereby.

4. In an excavating gr'aderpa frame strucnnq ture, a ground engagingsupporting wheel. 7

for'the frame, a ground engaging caterpillar treadfl supporting theframe and driven through engagement with the ground, a conveyor carried;by'the frame for conducting earth to one 'side thereof, drivemeansconnecting the caterpillar tread with the conveyorfor the operation ofthelatter-thejreby,

and means for oscillating'the conveyor' for I raising or' loweringone/end thereof: relative to the ground, 5 i

5. In an excavating ture adapted draft mechanism, means for'f supportingthe other end of the frame" comprising a wheel rotatably mounted at onesideithereof and side, a shaft carried by the frame, means for mittingpower therefrom to theshaft, a consaid' shaft with-"said tread for transV v grader,, a frame structo beconnected at one nd to a v ans f acaterpillar tread mounted 'upon'the other ace veyorstructurecarriedabythe' frame, a" driv :ing ,shaftfor the conveyor, and imeanswfor y Fcoupling said conveyor driving shaft with the-*first menti'oned shaft; Am U i '6; In an excavating grader, a frame'structureadapted tobeconnected at one end to a draft mechanism, ;'means for supporting theother end of the frame comprising a wheel rotatably mounted at onesidethereof and- 1 ,acaterpilIartread mount-ed upon the other I side,a shaftcarried by the frame, means for coupling said shaft with said treadfortransmitting power therefrom to the shaft, aconveyor structure carriedby the frame,a driving shaft for the conveyor, means 'for c'ouplin-gsaid conveyor driving shaft with the first mentioned shaft, and ,meansfor oscillating said conveyorfor raising or lowering one end thereofrelative to the ground,said conveyor drive shaft being jointed to permitoscillation thereof withoutinterrupting transmission of power thereto. I7.. An; excavating grader comprising a framejstructure adaptedforconnection at 26 one end toa draftdevice, a supporting wheelrotatably attached to one side of the frame. at'the other end thereof, abearing carried atithe opposite side of the frame from said supportingwheel, a beam carried by said bearing and extending longitudinally ofvthe frame, a-pair of toothed wheels carried by said beam, an endlesstread carried by the wheels,a shaft supported by said frame andextending through said bearing, "means for coupling one end of the shaftwith said tread for imparting. rotation thereto from thetread, aconveyorcarried by the frame, and means for transmitting power from saidshaft-to said conveyor.- a l r 40 8. An excavat'ng grader comprising aframe structure adapted for connection at one'endto a draft device, asupporting wheel r'otatably attached (to one side of the frame at theother end thereof, a bearing carried at the-opposite side of theframe'from said a supporting rwhee'l, abeam carried by said bearing andextending longitudinally of the frame, a pair of toothedwheels'carriedby said beam, an endless tread carried by the wheels,ashaft supported by said frame and extending through-said bearing, meansfor coupling one endof theshaft with said tread V v for impartingrotation thereto from the r tread, a conveyor carried'bythe frame, meansfor transmitting power fromsaid shaft to said conveyor, said conveyorbeing mounted to. extend transversely ofthe frame at an inclination andhaving its lower enddisposed I beneath one side. of theframe, and meansv adjacent the lower end of the-conveyor for turningearth thereonto.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aifix my signature. I

' JOHN, FRANKLIN" ERR

